I’ve been checking out this blog regularly for quite a long time and I had never posted a comment.I find the photos great and the people you choose are simply STYLISH (that’s what I love about them).So today, after reading the caption and totally agreeing I decided to comment.Congratulations.

Oh my Gosh…I absolutely LOVED what I just read. I’m not kidding…every single word of it! As much as I love high fashion and the fashion industry, I have to admit that today’s obsession with “labels” is going too far. We forgot how to appreciate fashion for what it is and started to only look at what the tags. Basically, if it cost more, then it must be better! I’ve been checking out this blog for a while as well, and I have to say, thank goodness for you! I think your honesty and eye for style is just fascinating. Not to mention how beautiful your pictures are. Keep up the good work!

I’ve always preferred the styles of fashion editors and designers. A lot of them are unfussy but because they are creative people, they have a knack for putting together interesting outfits. Japanese fashion magazines regularly feature the styles of editors.

I LOVE yellow, and she looks perfect. And I’d like to note: I work in vintage couture, and sometimes feel pressure (self-inflicted) to look a certain way. I had a wedding to go to a couple of weeks ago and was longing for a brightly colored dress, and all I had in my closet that I liked in theory was a sea of black. I tried on 20 dresses in shops (half from Anthro) and ended up with an $80 bright-red dress from ZARA. People thought I was in couture (one of the several people who asked me about it said that literally) and I felt like a million bucks. it was AWESOME.

beautiful dress, ive got the same from zara and one from h&m, wearing it realy brightens up my day, just like this with gold sandals from zara or the ugly betty marc jacobs wedges (betty’s), of curse mine is from The house of Zara…lol

You just said what a lot of people need to hear!That’s what I like about your blog. You’re not afraid of your shots, nor your comments. Your honesty transpires through your work. That’s why they are always so great.

I almost picked up a copy of Teen Vogue yesterday because of your blog and I’m 41! I refuse to read the “adult” version – it preys on my insecurities.

She’s adorable in yellow with that platinum hair and the black accessories ground her instead of her looking like she’s jumping off the Hampton Jitney.

I still think there is a whole lot of style on the streets that is not Chanel, not Marni – not even H&M – that you not capturing. I just can’t believe you rarely show women in jeans unless they are utterly fabulous European women. Really, not a lot of pants to be found here. Hmmmmmmm.

Someone who is well in his/her own skin and has his/her own style gives style and improves the clothes he/she wears. Anywhere anytime. (The shadowy golden light coming from Central Park on the right is kind to the yellow dress and the overall color of its owner). Very good.Cordelia

Lovely shade with her hair and skin tone, a cut that is flattering and sexy without being super short and super tight and those carefree sandals that just make the outfit. And even though it’s sunny she’s not covered in a fake tan, thank goodness.

It’s so refreshing to see a woman my age confident and independent-minded enough to wear what she likes and what she chooses for herself, when so many are adhering zombie-like to trends and brands.

She’s exactly the kind of woman I’m glad is working in fashion and raising the bar.

She looks great!!! It is refreshing seeing someone from Teen Vogue in Zara, there magazine always features expensive designer duds which your average teenager could never afford to own, plus it always profiles the lifes of teens from wealthy families and the amazing rooms and designer clothes they have. Now if they could feature items like this from Zara and perhaps profile the lives of some “normal” teenagers they might have something.

She looks amazing, but somehow her magazine, to me, doesn’t reflect that same philosophy, fun as it is- its How To photoshoots are a tad unimaginative and far too reminiscent of the adult version. This isn’t reflective, as far as I can see, of the staff’s taste, and I wish things were different. But then it’s called Teen VOGUE after all…

I love Teen Vogue too and look to it for style tips more than adult Vogue. That said, I am over 30 years old and can afford some of clothing featured in it. It is afterall a teen mag, I wish it focused less on labels. I get a bit grossed out sometimes reading about 14 year old and their designer obessisons.

On the rare ocassion we get to read your thoughts, I just has to say that I loved this post and just had to comment. It’s such a myth that people who work in fashion are well paid and get everything for free. Perhaps a myth that has been reinforced by such movies like The Devil Wears Prada (I often wonder about Andy’s character, just how realistic is it that Nigel hands her a fancy new wardrobe). Let’s just say that it doesn’t cost a million bucks to look like it. Besides, I’d say that “Go Fug Yourself” is living proof that money doesn’t always buy you style.

The yellow is divine! I am not in the fashion industry, have thus do not know much about editors and their sense of style, but this certainly solidifies the fact that great style and grace comes not from who designed the clothes, but from within and how clothes complement and portray your personality (and for this very reason, I think simplicity prevents distraction).

she looks wonderful. and your article is really great. you know, we’re all human, and it’s too easy to loose sight of that when all you see of that world is the glossy, buy this, buy that, wear this, dont’ wear that, that’s ugly, that’s beautiful. it’s confusing and alienating. i love clothes, i love talking about clothes. but sometimes i feel empty after reading a fashion mag, like i’m falling behind. style is something that comes from within. (but then again, how can it not? that’s where everything comes from!)

Bravo! I have been a Teen Vogue fan since it came out. I pick it up especially when I’m traveling because of its handy size. There are always inspiring, down to earth, wearable spreads. Great write up! Wear the clothes, not the label.

Hmm … If you go into the offices of British / French / Italian / American Vogue then 99.9% of the editorial staff will be wearing designer labels – Thats just the way it is, Teen Vogue is a totally different magazine to grown up vogue … Also, why don’t you like to shoot the models? If thats the case then you’re totally missing out on amazing style – during fashion week in milan / paris / n.y i’m sure you’ll agree that most models have great personal style while running between their numerous shows during fashion week … it’s a shame you feel that way b/c you’re missing out … surely there is room on this blog for both the editors & the models …

Teen Vogue actually does feature the rooms of “regular” teens occasionally, and though a lot of the clothes highlighted is “designer” they make an effort to show their readers how to adapt the look of the runway for themselves, even by literally putting together their own pieces with some needle and thread!

Sweet look. Great happy color. Teen Vogue. Yikes. This magazine is geared toward the socialite teenager. Gone are the days when the most expensive item featured in a teen magazine was a betsey johnson frock for eighty bucks. Whats wrong with our society. Lets start em young. What teenager could possibly need a thousand dollar handbag. When I was a teenager (back in the Molly Ringwald rules era).I was stoked to get that twenty dollar esprit bag.( You know the hot pink one with the big pocket in front that said “esprit”.) Shame on the warped parents that buy these girls these items. And shame on all teenage magazines that paint an unrealistic view of teenage angst.

To respond to your comment about most people thinking editors are spoilt and wealthy, I think that notion came from seeing Anna Wintour as the FACE of Vogue for so many years. And we constantly read about her $1 million annunal clothing budget, her $5 million paycheck, etc.

Most people don’t know that beneath Anna Wintour, there are dozens of junior editors who manage the numerous projects and datelines who aren’t paid as well as Ms. Wintour is.

I adore the way Scott pinpoints ‘street’ style – that’s what made this Blog great.

However, I don’t check in as much any more. Lots of designer labels I’m afraid. Not so much ‘ordinary’ quirky style any more. I can well understand why this drift has happened… but still.

The whole idea of Teen Vogue is tragic. You do not need a PhD in Sociology to say that either. It runs counter to personal expression. Instead of Molly Ringwald making that pink dress, she’d buy whatever such-and-such is wearing… and lug about a disgusting handbag that’s too big and costs and arm and a leg.

Please Scott, reflect a wee bit on returning to those fascinating human expressions we all loved.

Leave the labels, name checks and whatever to the days when you need to name the names to keep the boat afloat.

Remember, ‘further up the tree the monkey goes, the more you see its ass’…

Though I wholeheartedly agree with the concept that one does not need to spend a lot of money to look chic, as a teenager, I am not a big fan of teen vogue. While this girl’s personal philosophy on style is fantastic, I don’t think it translates into the magazine. I feel that in their quest to provide the high-fashion inspiration of vogue and procure “affordable”, wearable clothing for teens, teen vogue fails to do both. Instead of making a magazine chock full of cheap clothing with chic, fahionable results, they instead make one full of expensive, unorigional clothing.

Bravo, Sartorialist. Your comment with this photo was spot on. People live fashion in many different ways, and whatever way they decide to do it you’re there to capture that in any and all incarnations. Provided they’re stylish of course;-)

I couldn’t agree more with “The Sartorialist”… it’s not the label but the individuals that we view in these photos that have a sense of style. Carine Roitfeld & Emaneulle Alt (Paris Vogue) have incredible taste & style. They also have the funds that allow them to dress in the manner that they do. They are an inspiration just as the designers that produce the product that we purchase or would like to purchase. It’s about “individuality” and or “personality” of a person.

Photos are terrific as the people illustrated are real “folks”… my favorites are the photos of women & men probably over the age of 50…

It’s refreshing to hear someone agree with me. Fashion just doesn’t have to do with labels. It cannot be bought, it must be lived. In my opinion, Half of the time and the more labels on your back, it’s almost tawdry anyway.

I’ll refer back to Coco Chanel, as I think she put it nicely. “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” – Coco Chanel.

i had a friend who used to do editorial work at vogue–while they do earn a pittance, many of these girls come from wealthy families that help subsidize their living expenses and wardrobes. please, do you really know that many people who have done editorial work at vogue who are from humble backgrounds?

she looks like a baby bird! in a good way, she epitomizes the sass and spirit of a fledgling off to make its way in the world. the reference is perfect.

i find a virulence in the way that you, Sart, defend the “stylishness” of the 99.9% of people in the fashion industry, reproduces an assumption of the critics who view it all as a game of priviledge. i like this ‘daddy’ mode less than the one whose overall insistance is find joy in engaging with the world in ways that you value and acknowledge with openness the work- fashion is, as you point out, serious business too! -play, imagination, and care of the other people who show up. now i don’t know if i’ve managed to be less preachy…

She does look lovely, perfectly late spring. The black cuts nicely through the yellow (or does the yellow cut nicely through the black?). Why are people so anxious to know “Where those shoes are from?!?” ? This seems to be one of the points of your posting: the label doesn’t matter–can’t people catch the general idea of the little sandal without being so literal? Almost ANY one would do; go high-end if you can and want them for years or go low if that’s what you can afford or care about. Great post, great site!

i have been visiting your blog for a long time now. i have forgotten how i came across sartorialist but it does not matter. all that matters is that you are still here, informing me, entertaining me. me and thousands others. i am so proud of the achievements of this blog.

what you have posted makes today a good day to post my maiden comment here.

Dear Sart,I have been following your blog for almost a year now and I must say that I really like when you write those long commentaries. Being a fashion editor myself I have to say I absolutelly agree with all you have written. Just last night I was out for a dinner in a zara dress and I got comments from people how stunning i looked in it. style is not about money. that is for sure. thanks again.

Has Teen Vogue changed from when I last picked up a copy (2 years ago)? My recollection of the magazine is it’s filled with Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Chanel and such worn by the Olsens and kids of that crust, those with allowances bigger than the regular income of average working americans.

i have to say while the dress is lovely, she makes it! on another girl this might not be such a captivating picture. same can be said for the photographer, he brings her to life in this shot. as for teen vogue being about rich kids and labels, you can’t escape it in this culture. it contains smart, clever writing and is designed to inspire young women which i think it achieves. i suppose there are many people who may feel marginalised by the magazine but that can be said for any publication.

As a former Conde Naste employee, I can assure you that the vast majority of staff at Vogue are dressed in the ‘big labels’ irrespective of their position. This doesn’t mean they get vast amounts of free clothes from designers, it means that they have the know how & ability to shop wisely & though many staff at the likes of Vogue don’t have a huge pay check they can still manage to get the must haves of the season to pull their entire outfit together. Most of them are also very smart when it comes to Vintage designer pieces & past season pieces that can fit in with current season trends.

I, too, grew up in the Molly Ringwald era (nod to anon 9:23 pm) and designed my junior prom dress from a thrift store dress. They were not called “vintage” back then and were cheap and chock full of gems.

I read my mother’s Glamour and Mademoiselle way back starting at age 8 and remember reading Seventeen then, too. The editors would tout Chinatown, home dying and other “non-fashion” places to shop. It made me so excited and I became a master home dyer and sewer. The desired look was that of real individuality based on a special experience of finding something different.

I keep hearing how “great” Teen Vogue is but I wasn’t that impressed. The prices and labels are for the most part not based in reality and become aspirational instead of inspirational.

I long for the days of real fashion pioneers like Iris Apfel. Look her up, if you are interested.

I have been buying Teen Vogue for the past 2 years as well, and lets just say I have not been a teen for umm.. quite awhile. There is a freshness, personality, open feeling and fun not often seen in other magazines. Anyway I love this post, your words even more so than the image (a Sarto book at some point, per favore?) well the images and words match perfectly. There is a reason I look at your site everyday :-)

It took this post to make me recognize the elephant in my closet. I believe I have been favoring labels over substance and as a result, my clothes have often been wearing me. Today this ends, it’s time for me to get back to the basics and simply be myself and wear what I love. Thanks Sart, I think you’ve help become a better person.

Nigerian Woman in Norway said…“keep snapping the editors, sart. i have no idea why anyone cares what models wear off the runway.

besides kate moss(who is slipping these days) none of them are stylish.”

I’m sorry but clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. The vast majority of models are extremely stylish because it is a requirement of their job & if they are in any way slouchy etc… they will be pulled up by their agency. During shows in Paris / N.Y / Milan the models are usually the most stylsih out of everyone while they’re darting between the shows & just as stylish / more stylish than Kate Moss who you mentioned. All the high fashion magazines usually have features / pics of the models ‘off runway’ looks & most of the girls look amazing … at the moment Irina Lazareanu’s personal style is amazing, Agyness Dyn also has amazing personal style but overall most of the girls are great at mixing vintage / designer pieces & usually look fantastic – I suggets you do some research & you’ll see for yourself & also considering the amount of high fashion models there are you’re making a pretty broad statement that NONE have any style … Puh-Leeze!

Go Kris!!i remember when she was a humble fashion assistant working on Aussie magazine Shop Til You Drop in SydneyI love the colour of this dress. I thought it only looked good on brunettes, but i was wrong.

The lady looks lovely. And you are absolutely right that style has nothing to do with labels or price.

Still, I am always a little disappointed when I find out that someone in your street photos is in the fashion industry as an editor, model or anything else. Of course people in the fashion world look good; it’s their profession. That’s like saying a scientist knows science or a lawyer knows law. We’d be justifiably disappointed in them if it were otherwise.

I’m far more inspired by people who have style while living a life outside the industry. Sure, I might be impressed by a talented professional. But it’s the gifted amateurs that should really be cherished.

I love that the fashion editor of Teen Vogue actually looks like a real person. For some reason I thought that she would be a, well different then in this picture. I love the yellow dress and simple sandals. Yellow is a very bright and happy color that I love to see.

Well in fashion there is always going to be an inexpensive version of the expensive/designer original. it’s the copy! that’s how the market works. capitalism 101

Also with dresses, most vintage style dresses are classic. Like the yellow dress it is based on a vintage style, this is the best kind of dress. Dont’ designers get their inspiration from vintage anyway?

Once upon a time I interned and freelanced with W magaine. I find what you are saying to be true. While there were a few standout and intimidating editors, most of them just simply had a flair for personal style. Many of them even wore the same core expensive designer pieces over and over, but just accessorized them differently or wore them with different, less expensive pieces.

Fashion editors work so hard (as do their assistants and interns) and they often need to be unhindered by tricky fashion so that they can move around the office, the streets, the shoot locations, etc. Having great personal style that is functional is an art form!

(p.s. My favorite editor of all time rocked a pair of gray Helmut Lang jeans at least 3 times a week!)

She looks beautiful – that yellow suits her hair and the photo itself is perfect!

Style is a personal interpretation. You can give two people access to unlimited money and ‘high and low’ lines and the results will be vastly different because we all have different tastes and styles. That’s why I love all your street shots!

I am new to this blog and I really enjoy it. I love the photos of people on the streets of New York. Its great to see the different styles of different kinds of people. I think it gives a new perspective on different styles. The thing I particularly liked about the article on Kristin is that it gives those of us looking to pursue a career in fashion some hope! Its nice to know you can be involved in fashion and not be a total fashionista. Most of us are regular people looking to do something we love, not rich socialites!

I love her outfit and she looks gorgeous and happy. I’m especially psyched that her dress is not only beautiful but affordable + not really a label label, but her shoes remind me a LOT of these louboutins I saw once.

I like the sleeve length here. I also like her presence, dainty pose and the overall palette. I like the picture – it makes me wonder if you planted those background trees on purpose to have the light match her dress.